HARTFORD — The president of the Connecticut State College and University system is recommending the consolidation of administrative personnel across the 17 colleges and universities and an operational consolidation at the 12 community colleges to help meet serious budgetary challenges.

In a letter released Monday to the CSCU community, Mark Ojakian said it has become abundantly clear the system's operational costs are outpacing revenues, "creating a true structural deficit."

Ojakian is scheduled to present his consolidation plan Thursday to the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Ojakian says his proposal integrates "back office" functions, such as purchasing and human resources, at the various schools. He's also calling for a significant reduction of campus leadership at the community colleges.

State funding to the system has declined 12.4 percent in recent years.

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This story been corrected to indicate the consolidation plan will be presented to the Board of Regents on Thursday, not Monday.